On NEW YEAR'S Resolutions!

Let's talk about your New Year's resolutions for a few moments.  Humor me.  This is a good one!

For how many years have we set New Year's resolutions for ourselves?   And how many of those resolutions have we kept for longer than three months?  All of them?  Congratulations!  I'm SO jealous!!!  You are among the 8% of people who actually keep their New Year's Resolutions!  You are among an elite group of Rock Stars!!!

As for the rest of us mere mortals, I have an idea for you - and for me.  I have taken this approach to setting New Year's resolutions for several years now, and it works so well for me, that I wanted to share it with you.  Here it is:

Rather than deciding what you want to do or to change in your life this year, consider giving some thought to who you want to BE instead!  Wow!  What a concept!  

Rather than a list of resolutions, or a to do list.  Make a "TO-BE" list instead!  What??? Seriously???  Yes.  Seriously.   And it is much easier than it sounds.  Take a few minutes - like 30 or 60.  Get your mind into a state of feeling as though anything is possible.  Absolutely anything!  

Here is a list of questions to get you started in this direction:

Who do you want to become this year?
Do you want to be a glamorous person?
Do you want to be a thin person?
Do you want to be an elegant person?
Do you want to be a world traveler?
Do you want to be an educated person?
Do you want to be more gentle to those around you?
Do you want to be more loving to those around you?
Compassionate?
More friendly?
More financially secure?

Do you want to be more effective at your job?
How do you want to show up every day? 

Whatever it is that you want to be, you have to live your life AS THAT PERSON.  And do it RIGHT NOW.  

Ask yourself this:  How does a "_________" person live their life?  How does a KIND person live?  How does a GLAMOROUS person live?  How does a GENEROUS person live?  Then - and know that you are COMPLETELY capable of doing this - live your life the way that person would live their life!  How does a thin person, an educated person, a world traveler live their life?  Figure it out and GO BE HER!!!

You will find, I promise you, that it is much easier to live a life that represents the person you want to become than it is to set and live by a set of goals, tasks and resolutions!  Rather than living in a datebook that is full of tasks and to do lists, this year try a Journal that is full of ideas, thoughts and a creative outlet that will help mold you into the individual you desire to become.  

Living your life as the person you wish to be will enable you to create the life you are truly longing for.

I wish you the happiest and most magical New Year you've ever lived!!!

Donna

PS.  For more information on this and many other topics, please visit www.brilliancefactor.com

Adding COMFORT & JOY to a Crazy Time of Year!!!

Shopping!  The Mall!  Cooking!  Decorating!  Running around!  Unexpected guests!  Traffic!  Parties!  WHEW!!!  It is amazing that we are able to fit all of it in during this crazy few weeks that are the Holidays!

It truly is enough to completely wear us out.  But do we have to let the excess fun and activity wear us down?  We certainly don't want to give up all of the fun, right?  So how can we eliminate the stress that we feel while we continue accomplishing everything that needs to get done?  I want to share with you a few ideas that I believe will help to lower your pulse rate during this most wonderful time of the year!  I believe you'll find some value in these lessons!

1.  BREATHE.  Pay attention to your stress level.  Go easy on yourself.  If you feel a bit of crazy coming on, stop and take a few deep breaths.  You CAN pull it all together, and you WILL.

2.  SCHEDULE SOME DOWN TIME.  That's right.  Schedule it.  Make sure with all of the tasks and to do lists you are working from that you have written in some time just for you.  You deserve to enjoy the holidays as much as all of the people you are creating the experience for!  Even if it's an hour here or a few minutes there, it is vital that you give yourself some time to relax and enjoy.

3.  SET TIME LIMITS ON YOUR TASKS.  Get that datebook out and write things down.  2 hours for wrapping presents.  1 hour for addressing cards.  2 hours for that next shopping trip.  30 minutes inside the next store.  You get the picture.  If you don't manage your tasks, they will manage YOU.

4.  TAKE A BREAK FOR COFFEE OR TEA.   Depending upon the time of day, take a little break.  Get your beverage of choice and maybe a snack and sit down for a while and enjoy it!  You will find that you can accomplish a great deal more if you hustle, then break, then hustle, then break.  And you'll feel more energized moving on to the next item on your list after a little rest!

5.  POUR YOURSELF A GLASS OF WINE.  Remember that these are YOUR holidays, too!  Celebrate a little.  Allow yourself a glass of wine at the appropriate time of day!  It's a small luxury, and if you choose to indulge, you should not put it off until you are completely exhausted at night!  Take a minute for yourself now!

6.  STOP FOR A FEW MINUTES AS YOU COMPLETE EACH TASK.  Spend a few minutes appreciating what you've done and celebrating your success!  Stop to admire your work.  Stop to be grateful for what you have.  Stop to be grateful that the task is done!  CELEBRATE what you accomplish, task by task.  Got those gifts wrapped?  Celebrate!  Got the kids fed and put to bed?  Celebrate!  Got the cat out of the tree - again?  Celebrate!  Got every name checked off your list?  CELEBRATE!  Remember:  When you celebrate life, life celebrates you!

7.  SCHEDULE AN HOUR OR SO EACH EVENING TO QUIETLY SIT.   Sit yourself down in the middle of the beautiful holiday that you've created.  Be grateful, and appreciate what you've created!  Each evening, whether you're alone or with friends, find an hour of quiet time when you can just relax and enjoy your surroundings.  This will recharge your emotional batteries.

8.  GET YOUR MOST SNUGGLY PAJAMAS AND COMFY SLIPPERS and indulge in some self-pampering time.  Do this as often as possible during the holidays.  Think of it as comfort food for your body.  Maybe apply a facial mask, or some special decadent scented lotion or foot cream.  But pamper yourself like the Queen you are.  You deserve a warm and fuzzy Christmas!

9.  INVITE A FEW CLOSE FRIENDS OVER for a quiet candle-lit evening of beverage, light snacks and quiet talk.  Every holiday gathering doesn't require dancing, noise and fireworks.  Let your friends know when you invite them that it will be a very quiet evening.  They will look forward to it as much as you will!

10.  MAKE WRAPPING GIFTS A PLEASURE!  You can make it a wonderful experience!  How?  By organizing your supplies.  Get all of the boxes you need together.  All of the wrapping paper.  Be sure you won't run out of tape or tissue paper!  Get the ribbon and the good scissors out.  Have everything right there where you are working!  THEN - get your beverage of choice.  Put on some music that you love, or maybe a great TV show that makes you happy.  Then get to work.  You'll be surprised at how quickly you can get it all done when you have everything you need right in front of you.

So there are my Top 10 ways to make the holidays merry and bright!  I hope you can adopt some of these ideas into your holiday season.  I promise you they will force you to slow down and enjoy every minute of the season.  Then you'll be able to look back at the season and actually remember it, rather than blinking and having it all over!

From the bottom of my heart, I wish you the most beautiful and magical holiday season of your life!  Cheers to celebrating every little thing!!!

Love,
Donna

PERFECTION.. with Beauty, Brains & Brilliance

PERFECTION...

...is so over rated.  Yes, we can all agree that we want to do and be our best at all times. But as powerful, motivated people, we tend to strive for absolute perfection, and push and push and reach, sometimes until we are beaten up and worn out.  And if it were even possible to be perfect in any given area, what good is it if we're so exhausted from pushing, that we can't enjoy it once (if) we reach it?  

What if we choose to approach perfection from a different angle?  What if we changed our definition of perfection and made it something that excites us and fuels our attention and motivation?  How great would you feel if your definition of perfection wasn't the finished product or destination, but the process, the path and the journey towards reaching your goal? 

Here is the BEAUTY, BRAINS & BRILLIANCE definition of perfection:

Perfection happens when we have taken the time to plan out an action or desire, and we hold ourselves accountable to staying on task, and working towards that plan or desire.

We must begin to see the completion of our goal, and the path toward our goal as equally important.  

Consider giving your self a break.  Change your definition of perfection.  Adopt this new mindset.  Take the time to plan your path, begin the journey, monitor your progress, and take comfort in knowing that as long as you have staid the course, you are making progress and living within the state of beautiful perfection!

Here is a mantra you can begin to use right now: MY PROGRESS IS MY PERFECTION.

Take a few minutes to think this through.  Create a path and begin your perfect journey!

Please leave me a message in the comments section.  I'd love to hear how you plan to change your mindset on perfection.

For more information of if you would like some help with your planning process or your progression, please visit www.brilliancefactor.com   This is where you will find all the tools you need to help you progress, as well as information on how to work with me!

Have a BEAUTIFULLY PERFECT week, my love!
Donna